MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 19: Mauricio Dubón #14 of the Atlanta Braves argues a strike three call with home plate umpire Carlos Torres #37 during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on August 19, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Don’t look now, but the Braves have a real division race on their hands after leading solidly for most of the season. This comes with a tough stretch of games incoming against the White Sox, Brewers, and Dodgers. The Braves aren’t playing especially well right now and fWAR doesn’t indicate that they should be leading the division at all, although run differential does. The offense continues to dramatically underperform its potential and theoretical talent level, which it has really since the all-time great season in 2023 for various reasons. The rotation is a known issue and the bullpen hasn’t been as dominant of late, still missing Robert Suarez. The Braves find themselves in a vulnerable position here in late August, even as they maintain a 4.5 game cushion in the division and a 7.5 game cushion in the wild-card (though let’s really hope that number never becomes relevant). If they finish strongly this year, it may be another offseason of significant flux for Atlanta, setting aside the CBA drama.
Braves News
Matt Powers recapped the Braves’ lowest level minor league affiliate’s season, including a number of major IFA signings.
The Braves lost their third straight to the Twins as they head off for a single game against the White Sox and then a two-series gauntlet against the best two teams in baseball.
MLB News
The Phillies signed once-Yankee starter Nestor Cortes, as he works his way back from arm surgery.
The Yankees traded cash to the Pirates for one-time Braves top prospect Christian Bethancourt.
Mets’ infielder Jorge Polanco will get season-ending ankle surgery.